Child Dedication

On Sunday, September 25, 2011 K and I had the privilege of dedicating our daughter during the church service. Child dedication is a ceremony in which a commitment is made by the child's parents to honor the Will and Word of God. K and I, along with three other couples, publicly made six vows.

Vow #1: Will you do your best to raise this child to honor, revere, and love Jesus Christ?

K & E: Yes

Vow #2: Will you do your best to maintain a home where Jesus Christ is honored and obeyed, where the Word of God is the authority and Jesus Christ is the head?

K & E: Yes

Vow #3: Will you commit this child to God in prayer on a regular basis, trusting God to override your mistakes and make up for your shortcomings?

K & E: Yes

Vow #4: Will you actively rely on the Holy Spirit to raise this child and to incline his or her heart to the Lord?
K & E: Yes

Vow #5: Will you do your best to release this child to the will of God, whatever that might be, without bitterness or resistance?

K & E: Yes

Vow #6: Will you do your best to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, so that this child has godly examples to follow?
K & E: Yes

We chose two Bible verses to help remind us of what God calls godly parents to do:

Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him (Abraham), that he may command his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

A Whole New World

It's a whole new world for IB - a world that involves solids, that is. K was able to come with me to IB's 6-month check-up yesterday. The pediatrician told us IB could start on solids (at her 4-month she told us to hold off until 6 months). We were informed of some basics and then given some suggestions - after cereal, try veggies then fruit otherwise she will not eat the veggies.  I don't know about other moms out there, but I was oober excited to start feeding IB solids. Maybe it was because I thought she was going to be starting at 4-months, but had to wait until 6-months. Needless to say, I couldn't wait for IB's next bottle so I could attempt some rice cereal. Around 11am, I gave IB a bottle and then happily pulled out a baby bowl, baby spoon and the rice cereal.

Let's just say, IB was rather confused and did NOT know what to do. This whole solids thing was foreign to her. K and I enjoyed watching the facial expressions after cereal was put in her mouth and laughing when cereal was "tongued" out of her mouth because she doesn't understand how to eat it. It's strange to think that each and every one of us had to LEARN how to eat solid foods, that it wasn't just second nature for us from the get go. With that in mind, I LOVE being a part of this learning process for Isabelle.

184 Days!!

Happy SIX  Months to My Baby Girl!!

This morning I woke up thinking, "Really? Six months already?" Where has the time gone?!? I know it's cliche to say this, but I feel like IB was born yesterday. This little girl has been growing before our eyes. From weighing 8lbs 11oz at birth to a guesstimate of low 17lbs at six months (6-month checkup is Monday). Not to mention the personality she has already developed. IB certainly inherited her mommy and daddy's laid-backness, but we'll see if that sticks once she becomes mobile.

MILESTONES:

1st Month --> Smile

2nd Month --> Found Thumb & Laugh; National Zoo in DC

3rd Month --> Rolled from Tummy to Back; First Time in a Pool and First Plane Ride

4th Month --> Found Feet and Feet in Mouth

5th Month --> Responds to Name and First Tooth Coming in; First Earthquake

TODAY --> Sitting for as long as 30 Seconds Unassisted



This little one has been a true blessing in our lives. I am so excited to see the new things IB learns to do throughout the second half of her first year.

When It Rains, It Pours

Figures, it would land butter side down


Since our recent move on 9.10.11, we've encountered a handful of  hurdles...

FROM BOXES ALL OVER AND NOT ENOUGH CLOSET SPACE

 

TO LEAKY SINKS AND WASHING MACHINES THAT DON'T DRAIN

 

In addition, having to "ghettofy" the way we brought home a 70" portable 2-door pantry in our Subaru Legacy Wagon - with a baby in the back seat. And when we thought things couldn't get worse, earlier this evening a fuse blew, or something, so now we have NO overhead lighting in the main area and our refrigerator is plugged into an outlet in the hallway.

Do you ever feel like someone or something is out to get you? That's what it feels like lately. Before moving to our new inhabitance, K and I knew improvising and creativity was going to be needed due to the lack of storage and a smaller kitchen. We just didn't know all these unexpected occurances would happen, especially so quickly. But I guess I'd rather get all the kinks out sooner rather than later.

As I was giving IB her first bottle of the day Tuesday morning I sat thinking about our move and the mishaps we'd already encountered. "I'm not so sure I'm happy about this move. I'm usually excited when we move into a new place, but not this time." After venting to my mom I decided to do a load of laundry. BAD IDEA! I went to retrieve the clothes out of the washer to put them in the dryer and to my surprise when I opened the lid ALL the water was still there. I thought, "maybe I didn't let the cycle finish," so I closed the lid - nothing, nada, zilch. So after sending K a text message telling him the sink wasn't fixed yet, I sent another one saying the washing machine doesn't work - and saying outloud, "What did we get ourselves into?" Thankfully, the handyman came and fixed the sink and the Landlord offered her washing machine for the time being.

It is literally one thing after another. I was in the beginning stages of making dinner tonight, went to go turn the lights on and nothing happened. While looking at K I said, "Oh great." I opened the refrigerator to get something out, low and behold there was no light. You know what that means, right? No power. K let the Landlord know and in return she tried her best to figure out what happened. Unfortunately, that problem was not fixed tonight. Although, yours truly came up with a brilliant idea - plug the refrigerator into a working outlet.

I'll be honest, I've been depressed the past few days. I never expected so much to go wrong. But I believe God is trying to teach me a lesson - to be content. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."-Philippians 4:11.
**I should NOT be complaining about lack of closet space because at least I have clothes.
**I should NOT be complaining about a leaky sink because at least I have water.
**I should NOT be complaining about not having overhead lights because at least I have electricity.

It may not seem like it now, but I think it's safe to say that when the dust settles I will really enjoy our new home.